Lentol Introduces Suicide Prevention Act
Assembly Member Joseph R. Lentol (D-Greenpoint, Williamsburg) and State Sen. Brad Hoylman (D-Manhattan) announced Friday the introduction of the Student Suicide Prevention Act (Lentol- A9032/Hoylman- S7138).
This new legislation would require school districts to adopt a comprehensive policy on student suicide prevention, intervention, and support for the bereaved in tragic cases when a student takes their own life. These policies would equip school staff and students with the tools necessary to assist students in crisis in grades 7-12 and prevent suicide.
The legislation also calls for the implementation of policies that specifically address the needs of high-risk groups, such as LGBTQ youth, youth experiencing homelessness, and those with mental health concerns and disabilities.
“Schools play an important role in the well-being of our youth and are uniquely positioned to promote the health and safety of students. This is why our schools must have policies and procedures in place to help students in crisis and prevent the tragedy of suicide. We must do more to put an emphasis on mental health treatment and suicide prevention. The Student Suicide Prevention Act will help to save lives, especially those who are high-risk, including LGBTQ and homeless youth,” said Lentol.
Frontus Decries Violence Against Women at 2020 Women’s March
Assemblymember Mathylde Frontus (D-Coney Island, Brighton Beach, Bay Ridge, Gravesend) joining thousands of demonstrators in support of women’s rights this weekend and called on the crowd to listen to each other and support each other to end violence against women.
“While it is OK to be afraid at times, as fear can keep us alive, fear should never keep us quiet. We cannot afford to be quiet,” Frontus said.
The Women’s March Alliance invited 22 women activists, journalists and political leaders to address the annual march, which began in 2017. Frontus, Lt. Gov. Katherine Hochul, New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer and Manhattan Borough President Gail Brewer were the only elected officials invited to speak.
For Frontus, responding to issues including sexual violence and gun violence are at the core of why she decided to seek office. Before seeking elected office, Frontus served as the founder and executive director of Urban Neighborhood Services, and also founded the Coney Island Coalition Against Violence and the Coney Island Anti-Violence Collaborative.
“Before I ran for office and got involved in politics in 2018, I spent years as a community activist in my Brooklyn neighborhood. During that time, I witnessed firsthand how women often bear the brunt of most forms of violence in our communities, whether physical, sexual, or emotional,” Frontus said.
Menchaca Continues To Monitor Industry City
City Council Member Carlos Menchaca (D-Sunset Park, Red Hook) praised local Community Board 7 following their split decision recommendations concerning the rezoning of INdustrcy City on the Sunset Park waterfront.
The board recommended disapproval of a special zoning permit unless a series of stipulations were met, including a commitment that buildings won’t rise higher than 110 feet in order to “maintain view corridors” of New York Harbor. The board also voted against a change that would have demapped part of 40th Street unless the developers adhere to several community-centric conditions.
The board reached no decision on the mapping of a new special district and the creation of the actual zoning text for that district.
“Last night we saw democracy in action. We saw our Community Board debate with extreme commitment an application of massive proportions, one they have been diligently discussing the last two years,” Menchaca aid after the board met.
“Industry City’s application is the largest change to an industrial waterfront ever proposed in New York City’s history. We must continue to discuss its complexity openly and I’m ready to continue having that conversation anytime, anywhere, and with anyone,” he added.
Rose Helps Leads Call To Repeal Anti-Muslim Travel Ban
U.S. Rep. Max Rose (D-Southern Brooklyn, Bay Ridge) joined together with U.S. Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) and Stephanie Murphy (D-FL) to lead a group of 32 Members of Congress calling on House leadership to take swift action to pass the National Origin-Based Antidiscrimination for Nonimmigrants (NO BAN) Act to repeal the Administration’s Travel Ban which primarily targets Muslim-majority countries.
The call came as January 27 marks the third anniversary of Executive Order 13769, the first iteration of the President’s Ban.
“While officially called a Travel Ban, the fact is it’s a racist, xenophobic Muslim Ban,” said Rose, Chair of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Intelligence and Counterterrorism. “We’ve seen time and time again there is no rhyme or reason to this policy and no basis in our national security—proven by the fact that less than one percent of waivers denied are on national security grounds. We must send the clear and unmistakable message that the Muslim Ban goes against our American values, and that we as Democrats stand strongly in support of the Muslim-American community and their families.”
The NO BAN Act would repeal the President’s existing executive order blocking travel from majority Muslim countries and prevent another baseless, discriminatory travel ban from happening again. The legislation is supported by more than 200 members of Congress, nearly 400 diverse civil rights, faith, national security and community organizations, as well as private companies and more than 50 immigration law professors.
Treyger, Gounardes Call For Justice Towards Hit-And-Run Victims
City Council Member Mark Treyger (D-Coney Island, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, Gravesend) and State Sen. Andrew Gounardes (D-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, Gravesend, Gerritsen Beach, Manhattan Beach, Marine Park) last week called for justice for the family of victim, Deborah Mutell, of a fatal hit and run crash at the corner of 86th Street and Bay Parkway in the Bensonhurst on Jan. 16.
In May 2019, three-year-old Emur Shavkator was killed by a motorist while crossing the intersection of Bay 25th Street near Benson Avenue a few blocks away from the location where pedestrian Mutell was struck and killed by a private sanitation truck. NYPD data reports that 27 pedestrians in Southern Brooklyn were killed by motorists in 2019.
“We shouldn’t have to hold calls for action for hit & run victims. We should have better-designed streets for our residents and a higher level of urgency by the NYPD, City Administration, and Department of Transportation to eliminate traffic crashes and prevent fatalities. An innocent life was taken away crossing the street. Justice must be served and the reckless driver and company must come forward,” said Treyger.
“Another needless and tragic loss of life on the streets of southern Brooklyn. Our community is crying out for safer streets and for reckless, dangerous drivers to finally be held accountable for their actions. We also need to pass the Hit and Run Prevention Act to deter drivers from fleeing the scene of the crime. I am devastated for Deborah Mutell and her family, and for the other New York City pedestrians who have already been killed by traffic violence in the first weeks of 2020,” said Gounardes.
